Local man has 'do good' attitude

Today is St. Nicholas Day, an observance celebrated by many people throughout the world.

Tradition has it that on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children would put their shoes out, and St. Nicholas would visit during the night and leave treats for good boys and girls.

Wisconsin Rapids has its own year-round version of the treat-bearing man - George "Jake" Jacobsen, a resident of the Tenth Avenue North apartments.

"Jake is a cool guy," said Joann Grode, executive director of the Housing Authority. "He's very likable and engaging. He's a delight to have as a tenant."

Eileen Folgert (like the coffee, but with a "T" on the end) has known Jake since she moved to the apartment complex in 2006.

"He'll be embarrassed because he does all these things for people," said Folgert, 75. "I don't think he wants any social acclaim for it."

Jake is well known at local businesses, including the West Grand Avenue IGA.

"He's very nice; he just walks around and talks to everybody," said Luanne Zager, a customer service representative at the grocery store.

Zager has worked at the store for 34 years. Jake often comes in a few times a day. He'll buy three newspapers - one for Zager, one for friends at the apartments and one for himself. He often buys a bag of candy for IGA employees, Zager said.

"I know he's been around a long time, because he knew my dad," she said.

Jake also often brings treats to share with fellow apartment dwellers.

"He keeps our candy jar always filled up," Folgert said. "At Christmas, he brings one of those huge boxes of candy. He puts it down in our community room, and anyone can have some."

It's his nature to share and treat people with kindness, Jake said.

"I just know a lot of good people," he said. "I didn't know (my kindness) was appreciated that far."

"There's not a better gift than having people think you're an all-right person."

Indeed, Jake was overwhelmed by the attention.

"I've never been in the paper for any criminal offenses," the 83-year-old gentleman said. "I try and be a nice guy."

Jake was an over-the-road truck driver for Nekoosa Papers for 40 years.

"I met a lot of people; I got to know a lot of people," he said.

Jake also had some words of wisdom to share - words he most likely lives by every day.

"If you can't do anything good, don't do anything at all," he said.

Jake said he's no saint, but he does do good things and puts smiles on the faces of other people - just about every day.

Send your Out There ideas to deb.cleworth@cwnews.net.

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Local man has 'do good' attitude

Today is St. Nicholas Day, an observance celebrated by many people throughout the world. Tradition has it that on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children would put their shoes out, and St.

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